Wellington v Central Districts:
If the touring Indian side have trouble sleeping tonight after their arrival for a six-week tour, they will have to put it down to jetlag, not fear of their first serious opponents, Central Districts.
Central were mauled by Wellington by 10 wickets in their match at the Basin
Reserve yesterday and a big improvement will be needed if they are to give the Indians a decent run when the three-day match opens in Napier on Friday.
Before that the Indians play the Black Max in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Central coach Mark Greatbatch was last night lamenting his side's lack of patience. "It was my biggest concern," Greatbatch said. "It covered all the disciplines. Without it we weren't able to consistently compete. To lose in just over two days doesn't say a lot for our efforts."
After being bowled out for 91 in their first innings on Saturday, after most of Friday's opening day was rained out, Central found themselves with a deficit of 154 yesterday.
They were facing a defeat by an innings and it was only a decisive eighth- wicket partnership of 54 in 47 minutes between Michael Mason, who top-scored with 34 at No 9, and Martyn Sigley (33) that ensured Wellington would have to bat again.
Needing 39 from 13 overs for victory, Wellington opening batsmen Matthew Bell and Richard Jones achieved their target in just 8.2 overs. At least the Indian match should make Central better prepared for their next championship game, against Auckland in Blenheim from December 10.
Central will select from 13 in Napier after now-fit fast-medium bowler Andrew Schwass joined the squad yesterday.
Greatbatch had no complaints with the pitch, saying it was a good one, and had certainly not contributed to Central's dismal 91. Much of their batting problems stemmed from poor shot selection, strange consideringn the considerable experience of most of the specialist batsmen.
Mason's 42-ball second innings effort was invigorating, and it followed a trio of half-centuries from Wellington's Stephen Fleming, Chris Nevin and Matthew Walker.
Nevin (70) and Walker (58) added 117 in 155 minutes for the seventh wicket.
- NZPA
